China launched the TJS-15 satellite on March 9, 2025, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. This satellite, part of a classified series, will conduct communication technology experiments. With 14 active TJS satellites, analysts suspect they support military operations. The launch was China’s 10th in 2025, with further plans for commercial missions and crewed spaceflights.
On March 9, China successfully launched the TJS-15 satellite aboard a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite’s primary purpose, as stated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is to conduct multi-band, high-speed satellite communication technology verification, although limited details were provided regarding its specifications or imagery.
The TJS series, initiated in 2015, now comprises 14 active satellites, with TJS-15 being the latest in a string of launches, six of which occurred in the past 18 months. Analysts suggest these satellites may support classified operations, including signals intelligence and early warning missions, primarily serving the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
One notable past mission, TJS-3 launched in 2018, demonstrated the satellite’s ability to deploy a subsatellite that maneuvered independently. The launch of TJS-15 marks China’s 10th orbital launch attempt in 2025, with plans for upcoming missions including a Long March 8 from the Hainan commercial spaceport on March 11.
CASC has yet to disclose its launch plans for 2025, generally summarized in an annual report. Last year, they aimed for approximately 100 launches but achieved only 68. This year, China’s focus includes debuting new commercial rockets and launching crewed missions to the Tiangong space station, along with key missions like the Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return scheduled for May.
The successful launch of the TJS-15 satellite exemplifies China’s ongoing advancements in satellite technology and its strategic military capabilities. The secrecy surrounding the TJS series indicates their potential dual-use for civilian and military purposes. As China gears up for numerous launches and commercial development initiatives in 2025, the impact on global satellite capabilities remains a subject of interest. The planned crewed and robotic missions will further enhance China’s presence in space exploration.
Original Source: spacenews.com
